Search

The bar-headed goose is known one of the world's highest-flying birds. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Anser indicus (16,728 bp in length) was sequenced. Similar to the typical mtDNA of other vertebrates, goose mtDNA contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes) and a non-coding region (D-loop). The characteristics of the mitochondrial genome were analyzed in detail. We deduce that ND5 may be a major gene required for adaptation to high-altitude flight. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of A. indicus obtained will be useful for phylogenetics, and biological characteristics.

The complete mitogenome of the brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma was determined in this study. It is 16,894 bp in length, containing 37 genes with the typical order and transcriptional direction in the vertebrates. The overall nucleotide composition is: 28.7% A; 28.0% C; 16.3% G and 27.0% T. The lengths of 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes range from 67 (tRNA-Cys) to 76 (tRNA-Leu1) bp. Two start codons (GTG and ATG) and two stop codons (TAG and TAA/T) were found in the protein-coding genes. The nodes of phylogenetic tree were strongly supported based on the complete mitogenomes of available groupers. The phylogenetic results suggested E. chlorostigma is the closest to E. areolatus within the genus Epinephelus.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Litopenaeus vannamei was determined to be 15 989 bp in size, it contains 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes and a D-loop region. The nucleotide composition was biased toward A + T nucleotides (67.8%) and the AT skew of this mitogenome was slightly negative (-0.025). All tRNA genes displayed a typical clover-leaf structure, except for trnS1 (AGN). Thirteen PCGs were initiated by ATN codons, except for cox1 gene which was initiated by ACG. Four of the 13 PCGs had the incomplete termination codon by T. The rrnL was 1371 bp and the rrnS was 853 bp, and the AT content of the combined rRNA genes was 70.9%. The D-loop region of the mitogenome was 985 bp in length and the A + T content was 82.7%, and no tandem repeat was found in this region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the placement of L. vannamei was within the Penaeidae.

The complete mitochondrial genome information can play an important role in species identification, phylogeny, evolution research, genetic differentiation, and diversity. Here we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Elagatis bipinnulata (Perciformes: Carangidae). This circular genome was 16 542 bp in length, and included all 37 typical mitochondrial genes, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a putative control region. The gene order of E. bipinnulata was identical to that observed in most other vertebrates. Of 37 genes, 28 were encoded by heavy strand, while the other ones were encoded by light strand. According to the phylogenetic analysis based on 13 concatenated protein-coding genes, E. bipinnulata was genetically closer to the species of genus Seriola compared with any other species within Perciformes. This work can provide helpful data for further studies on population genetic diversity and molecular evolution.

The Hequ Tibetan Mastiff Canis lupus familiaris (Carnivora: Canidae) is a primitive breed of large dogs native to the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. In this study, its complete mitochondrial genome sequence has been assembled and characterized using high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology. The circular genome is 16 730 bp in length, and possesses all genomic components as typically found in most other metazoan mitogenomes. The gene arrangement is identical to those of most other vertebrates. Except for ND4L with GTG as its start codon, all the other PCGs are initiated with an ATR (ATA/ATG) codon. Three distinct stop codons are employed, i.e. AGA for CYTB, TAA for ATP6, ATP8, COX1, COX2, ND1, ND4L, ND5 and ND6, and an incomplete stop codon T for COX3, ND2, ND3 and ND4. The nucleotide composition is asymmetric (31.6% A, 25.5% C, 14.2% G and 28.7% T) with an overall A + T content of 60.3%. These data would contribute to our better understanding its evolutionary history.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Yellow-spotted skate Okamejei hollandi was determined in this study. It is 16,974 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one putative control region. The overall base composition is 30.5% A, 27.8% C, 14.0% G, and 27.8% T. There are 28 bp short intergenic spaces located in 12 gene junctions and 31 bp overlaps located in nine gene junctions in the whole mitogenome. Two start codons (ATG and GTG) and two stop codons (TAG and TAA/T) were used in the protein-coding genes. The lengths of 22 tRNA genes range from 68 (tRNA-Ser2) to 75 (tRNA-Leu1) bp. The origin of L-strand replication (OL) sequence (37 bp) was identified between the tRNA-Asn and tRNA-Cys genes. The control region is 1311 bp in length with high A + T and poor G content.

The golden drum (Chrysochir aurenus) is an important food fish of Indo-West Pacific and China. To study the phylogenetic status, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of C. aurenus. The mitogenome is 16 505 bp in length and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a control region. The gene composition and the structural arrangement of C. aurenus complete mtDNA were identical to most of other vertebrates. The phylogenetic analysis using the complete mitochondrial genome revealed that the C. aurenus might be grouped in different genera of Argyrosominae, but not belonged to Otolithinae, which was highly consistent with that based on the morphology. The present study will be helpful for the evolution and conservation genetic studies of C. aurenus.

Lepus capensis pamirensis is a specific cape hare species that is only distributed in the Pamirs, with a cruel natural environment. The complete mitochondrial genome of the cape hare L. c. pamirensis was first determined (accession number LC073697), in a total length of 17 597 nucleotides, of which 15 310 nucleotides are coding DNA and 2287 nucleotides are non-coding DNA. It has the common feature with those of other hares with respect to genome structure and gene arrangement. It contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer tRNA genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). The complete mitochondrial genome of the cape hare L. c. pamirensis provides an important data set for further study on its classification.

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA genome of Yuhina diademata by means of polymerase chain reaction. The circle genome (17 834 bp in length) contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 control regions (Dloop1 and Dloop2), which was similar to the other published mitogenome of Timaliidae species. Most PCGs began with ATG, while COI and ND2 genes started with GTG. Nine of the PCGs used complete (TAA) or incomplete (TA- or T--) stop codon, while ND1 and ND6 genes ended with AGA, COI gene ended with AGG, and ND6 gene with TAG. Overall base composition of the complete mtDNA was 30.30% A, 23.81% T, 31.72% C, and 14.17% G. All the PCGs in Y. diademata were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand.

Aculamprotula tientsinensis is a rare and endemic species of freshwater mussel in China. This study firstly determined the complete F-type mitochondrial genome of A. tientsinensis. The circle genome (15 695 bp) comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 1 FORF gene. Except for cob, nad5 and nad6, the remaining protein-coding genes initiate with the orthodox start codon (ATG, ATA, ATT). There are 26 non-coding regions in the mitogenome of A. tientsinensis, ranging in size from 1 to 229 bp. The base composition of the genome is A (37.83%), G (12.69%), T (25.43%) and C (24.06%). Gene order is identical to other female species of Unionidae but for Gonideinae. The phylogenetic analyses of Unionidae indicate that A. tientsinensis is closely related to A. tortuosa and A. coreana, which belong to Unioninae. The complete mitogenome can deepen comparative and evolutionary genomics of Unionidae and be more comprehensive to parse the genetic relationship between the species and the ownership beyond species.

Members of Candidia, Nipponcrysis, Parazacco, Opsariichthys, and Zacco are a group of East Asian freshwater fishes, and these five genera form a monophyletic group within the subfamily Oxygastrinae (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). In this study, we first determined complete mitogenomes of Candidia pingtungensis, Opsariichthys acutipinnis, O. chengtui, and Zacco acanthogenys. The four mitogenomes with the length of 16 611-16 615 bp displayed the same patterns in gene arrangements and the use of start and stop codons for protein-coding genes. Our phylogeny divided Candidia, Nipponcrysis, Parazacco, Opsariichthys, and Zacco into two major groups that the former three genera consisted of a group and the latter two genera formed another group. The phylogeny also revealed that C. pingtungensis was nested within Nipponcrysis. Our findings indicate that the taxonomy status of Candidia and Nipponcrysis is still needed to be confirmed.

To date, there has been much disagreement concerning the taxonomic status of Eleutheronema. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of Eleutheronema tetradactylum was determined and a Maximum Likelihood (ML) tree was constructed based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes. The complete mitogenome sequence is 16 490 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, a putative control region (CR), and a light-strand replication origin (OL). The overall base composition is 27.1% A, 26.0% T, 29.9% C, and 17.0% G, with a slight AT bias (53.1%), similar to most teleostean fishes. All protein-coding genes share the start codon ATG, except for COI, which begins with GTG. Most of them have TAA or TAG as the stop codon, while COII uses AGA, ND4 uses AGG and Cytb uses an incomplete stop codon T––. These results are expected to provide useful molecular data for phylogenetic studies of Polynemidae and Perciformes.

Based upon the morphological characters, the genus Triplophysa (plateau Loach) is a highly diverse group in the family Balitoridae (or Cypriniformes, Cobitoidea) with 133 valid species. Therefore, the taxonomic relationship of this species at the genetic level remains ambiguous. In the present study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Triplophysa dorsalis. In order to understand its position and genetic background at the gene level, the characteristics of mitochondrial DNA sequences and phylogenetic relationship were examined. The mitochondrial genome of T. dorsalis is similar to those of the typical vertebrates, 16 572 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop). All genes were encoded on the heavy strand except for ND6 and 8 tRNA genes. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was 28.16%, 28.41%, 25.62% and 17.82% for A, T, C and G, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the seven Triplophysa species clustered together with T. dorsalis to form a sister group with Triplophysa strauchii, T. bleekeri, T. stoliczkai and T. bombifrons. The two genera Triplophysa and Barbatula formed a sister-group relationship, the species Homatula potanini located in the intermediate position, and the genus Leptobotia elongata was in the basal position in the subfamily Nemacheilidae. Further investigations with more Triplophysa species need to be performed for better understanding of the evolutionary history of this fascinating genus.

Hypoptopoma incognitum is a fish of the fifth most species-rich family of vertebrates and abundant in rivers from the Brazilian Amazon. Only two species of Loricariidae fish have their complete mitogenomes sequence deposited in the Genbank. An innovative RNA-based approach was used to assemble the complete mitogenome of H. incognitum with an average coverage depth of 5292×. The typical vertebrate mitochondrial features were found; 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a non-coding control region. Moreover, the use of this approach allowed the measurement of mtRNA expression levels, the punctuation pattern of editing, and the detection of heteroplasmies.

To provide molecular markers for population genetic analysis of the flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila, we determined its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) for the first time. The mitogenome of A. hygrophila was 15 917 bp in length with an AT content of 75.15%. It had the typical set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region. Compared with the ancestral mitogenome of insects, no gene rearrangement occurred in A. hygrophila. Incomplete stop codons were present in PCGs of A. hygrophila. All tRNA genes except for trnS(AGN) could form the typical clover-leaf secondary structures. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that A. hygrophila was close to other species belonging to the same family of Chrysomelidae.

A comparison of mitochondrial genomes of three species of the amphipod Pseudoniphargus revealed the occurrence of a surprisingly high level of gene rearrangement involving proteincoding genes that is a rare phenomenon at low taxonomic levels. The three Pseudoniphargus mitogenomes also display a unique gene arrangement with respect to either the presumed Pancrustacean order or those known for other amphipods. Relative long non-coding sequences appear adjacent to the putative breakage points involved in gene rearrangements of protein coding genes. Other details of the newly obtained mitochondrial genomes - e.g., gene content, nucleotide composition and codon usage - are similar to those found in the mitogenomes of other amphipod species studied. They all contain the typical mitochondrial genome set consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAS, as well as a large control region. The secondary structures and characteristics of tRNA and ribosomal mitochondrial genes of these three species are also discussed., This work was supported by Spanish MIMECO grants CGL2009-08256 and CGL2012-33597, partially financed with EU FEDER funds. Morten Stokkan was supported by a MIMECO FPI fellowship.

The White-throated Tinamou, Tinamus guttatus (Tinamiformes, Tinamidae) is a species of the family Tinamidae. Herein, we firstly reported the complete mitochondrial genome of White-throated Tinamou. The length of mitogenome was 16 750 bp, and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 putative misc-feature region. Most protein-coding genes started with a traditional ATG codon, but specially, COX1 and COX2 initiated with an infrequent start codon GTG instead, ND3 and ND5 initiated with ATA instead. Protein-coding genes terminated with the mitochondria stop codon (TAA/TAG/AGG/AGA) or a single base(A/T). The mitogenome structural organization was identical to the closely related species Tinamus major. The GC content was 42.66%. To verify the accuracy and utility of new determined mitogenome sequences, we constructed the species phylogenetic tree with the 12 protein-coding genes of Tinamus guttatus together with nine other closely species. We expected that using the full mitogenome to address taxonomic issues and study the related evolution events.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Garrulax formosus was obtained for the first time, which is 17 869 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA, 22 tRNA genes and 2 different control regions. All genes are distributed in plus strand, with the exceptions of one PCG (ND6) and eight tRNA genes. All PCGs are initiated with ATG, except for COX1, which is initiated with GTG, while stopped by five types of stop codons. All tRNA genes have the potential to fold into typical clover-leaf structure except tRNASer(GCT). According to the phylogenetic tree, we can infer that it is reasonable to divide Garrulax formosus into the genus Garrulax.

The mitochondrial genome sequence of Tenthredo tienmushana (Takeuchi, 1940) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) (GenBank accession KR703581) was reported. The length of the sequenced region of this mitochondrial genome is 14,943 bp, with 13 protein-coding, two rRNA, 19 tRNA (the trnI, trnQ, and trnM were failed to sequence) genes and a partial A + T-rich region. As in most other sequenced mitochondrial genomes of the suborder "Symphyta", there is no gene rearrangement in the sequenced region compared with the pupative ancestral gene arrangement of insects. All protein-coding genes start with ATN codons. Eleven, one, and one protein-coding genes stop with termination codon TAA, TA, and T, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using the Bayesian method based on all codon positions of the 13 protein-coding genes supports the monophyly of Tenthredinoidea. Two families of the Tenthredinoidea, i.e. Tenthredinidae and Pergidae, form the basal lineage of the Hymenoptera. Within the Tenthredinidae, the subfamily Tenthrediniinae and Allantinae form a sister lineage and then sister to the Nematinae. The Orussidae was recovered to be a sister group to the Apocrita, which contains Ichneumonidae and Vespidae in our analysis. The Cephoidea is sister to the lineage of Orussoidea + Apocrita.

In this study, we first determined and described the complete mitogenome sequence of Plotosus japonicus, which is a kind of marine fish widely distributed in Northwest Pacific. The complete mitogenome sequence is 16 472 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, a putative control region (CR) and a light-strand replication origin (OL). The overall base composition is 31.9% A, 24.7% T, 27.7% C, 15.7% G, with a slight AT bias (56.6%), similar to other vertebrate mitochondrial genomes. All the protein-coding genes use the initiation codon ATG except COI uses GTG. Most of them have TAA or TAG as the stop codon, while COII and ND4 use AGA, COIII and Cytb use an incomplete stop codon TA or T. Maximum Likelihood (ML) tree and Bayesian analyses based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes were constructed and both yielded identical topologies. These results are expected to provide useful molecular data for species identification and further phylogenetic studies of Siluriformes.

The complete mitogenomes of Cyrtarachne nagasakiensis and Hypsosinga pygmaea are determined to be 14,402 and 14,193 bp in length, with the A + T content of 75.7% and 76.1%, respectively. All protein-coding genes in both spiders start with the initiation codons (ATT, ATA, TTA or TTG) that are usually used in Araneae mitogenomes, and terminate with canonical stop codon TAA or TAG except for ND5 in both spiders and ND4L in H. pygmaea, which end with the incomplete codon TA or T instead. Most of the tRNAs lack the potential to form the typically cloverleaf-shaped secondary structures and none of tandem repeats are present in the control regions of both spider mitogenomes. The phylogenetic analysis based on the Bayesian inference dataset shows a good resolution of relationship of C. nagasakiensis and H. pygmaea in Araneidae.

The mitochondrial genome sequence of Polistes jokahamae (Radoszkowski, 1887) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) (GenBank accession no. KR052468) was sequenced. The current length with partial A + T-rich region of this mitochondrial genome is 16,616 bp. All the typical mitochondrial genes were sequenced except for three tRNAs (trnI, trnQ, and trnY) located between the A + T-rich region and nad2. At least three rearrangement events occurred in the sequenced region compared with the pupative ancestral arrangement of insects, corresponding to the shuffling of trnK and trnD, translocation or remote inversion of tnnY and translocation of trnL1. All protein-coding genes start with ATN codons. Eleven, one, and another one protein-coding genes stop with termination codon TAA, TA, and T, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using the Bayesian method based on all codon positions of the 13 protein-coding genes supports the monophyly of Vespidae and Formicidae. Within the Formicidae, the Myrmicinae and Formicinae form a sister lineage and then sister to the Dolichoderinae, while within the Vespidae, the Eumeninae is sister to the lineage of Vespinae + Polistinae.

Here we report the mitochondrial genome sequence of the garden pea leafminer Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau, 1851) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) (GenBank accession no. KR047789). This is the first species with sequenced mitochondrial genome from the genus Chromatomyia. The current length with partial A + T-rich region of this mitochondrial genome is 15,320 bp with an A + T content of 77.54%. All the 13 protein-coding, two rRNA, and 22 tRNA genes were sequenced, except for the A + T-rich region. As in most other sequenced mitochondrial genomes of Diptera, there is no rearrangement compared with the pupative ancestral arrangement of insects. All protein-coding genes start with the ATN start codon except for the gene cox1, which uses abnormal TTG. The A + T-rich region is located between rrnS and trnI with a sequenced length of 503 bp. Phylogenetic analysis using the Bayesian method based on the first and second codon positions of the 13 protein-coding genes recovered the monophyly of Agromyzidae with one species of Chromatomyia and four species of Liriomyza in our study. The superfamily Oestroidea (with Agromyzidae in analysis) is sister to the Opomyzoidea.

Trichopodus leerii has been given many popular names in the ornament market, such as pearl gourami, lace gourami and mosaic gourami, which causes confusion in species identification. This species belongs in the family Osphronemidae of Perciformes. This species and its congeners are characterized by a brownish-silver body, covered in a pearl-like pattern. In this study, we first determined and described the complete mitogenome sequence of T. leerii, which is 16,472 bp in length. The overall base composition is 29.2%, 27.3%, 28.0% and 15.5% for A, C, T and G, respectively, with a slight bias in the AT content (57.2%). All protein-coding genes share the start codon ATG and most of them have TAA or TAG as the stop codon, except ND4 and ND6 use an incomplete stop codon T. Maximum likelihood tree and Bayesian analyses based on partitioned nucleotide sequences of 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes were constructed, and both yielded identical topologies. These results are expected to provide useful molecular data for species identification and further phylogenetic studies of Osphronemidae and Perciformes.

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Papilio demoleus (GenBank accession number KR024009) by long PCR and primer walking methods. The total length of mitochondrial DNA is 15,249 bp containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region. The overall base composition of the genome is A (39.31%), T (41.57%), C (11.33%) and G (7.78%) with an A + T-rich region, similar to other invertebrate mitochondrial genomes. The start codon was mainly ATG in most of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes such as COII, ATP6, COIII, ND4, ND4L, Cob and ND1, while ATA for ND2, COI, ATP8, ND3, ND5 and ND6 genes. The stop codon was mainly TAA in most of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes, whereas TAG was found in ND1 gene only. The A + T region is located between 12S rRNA and tRNAMet with a length of 403 bp.

The complete mitochondrial genome of an orb-weaver spider Cyclosa argenteoalba is determined in this article. The genome encodes the same 37 genes with a length of 14,575 bp as all other metazoan mitogenomes. The A + T content of the majority strand is 73.1%. Among the protein-coding genes, one gene (COI) begins with TTA, three (COII, COIII and ND6) start with ATT, three (ATP6, ND3 and ND4) begin with ATA and other six genes use ATT as initiation codon. All the protein-coding genes end with the canonical termination codons (TAA or TAG), except for ND3 and ND4L, which use an incomplete stop codon (T). Thirteen transfer RNAs genes lack the potential to form the cloverleaf-shaped secondary structure. The A + T-rich region is 1052 bp in length with an A + T content of 68.9%. In the phylogenetic analyses, C. argenteoalba was nested within Araneidae and the species from the superfamily Araneoidea form a momophyletic group.

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome of Kaloula rugifera in this work. The mitogenome was 17,073 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region (D-loop). The base composition of the light strand was 29.7% A, 30.4% T, 25.7% C and 14.2% G. The gene order and contents of it is identical to most amphibian mitogenome. All protein-coding genes began with ATG as start codon except ND1 gene beginning with GTG and COI gene beginning with ATA. Five protein-coding genes (COII, ATP 6, COIII, ND3 and ND4) ended with incomplete stop codon T. The 22 tRNA genes with the size ranging from 65 bp to 73 bp were interspersed along the whole genome. The D-loop region containing tandem repetition was 1675 bp in length and heavily biased to A + T nucleotides.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Bombyx mori strain Chunyun (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) has been reported for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 15,659 bp with 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes and 1 non-coding A + T-rich region. Its gene content and order were identical to those of other lepidopteran mitochondrial genomes. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by ATN codons except for the COI gene, which began with CGA codon. Eleven PCGs stopped with termination codon TAA, whereas the COI and COII genes ended with single T. All tRNAs have typical structures of insect mitochondrial tRNAs. The 494 bp AT-rich region contains several features common to other lepidopterans, such as some structures of repeated motifs and microsatellite-like elements and a poly-A element upstream of transfer RNA M (trnM) gene.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Japonica lutea is 15,225 bp in length, containing 37 typical insect genes: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a non-coding AT-rich region. All the 13 PCGs are initiated with ATN, except for COI gene which is started by CGA. Nine PCGs use the complete termination codon (TAN), whereas the COI, COII, ND4 and ND5 genes end with single nucleotide T. In total, 131 bp intergenic spacers and 31 bp overlapping sequences are interspersed throughout the whole genome. The two rRNA genes (lrRNA and srRNA) are 1327 bp and 770 bp in size, with their AT contents of 87.8% and 85.5%, respectively. All tRNAs display typical secondary cloverleaf structures except for tRNASer(AGN) which loses the DHU arm. The 401 bp long AT-rich region contains several features characteristic of the lepidopterans, such as the ATAGA motif followed by a 19 bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)7 element preceded by the ATTTA motif and a 9 bp poly-A stretch.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sinotmethis brachypterus Zheng & Xi, 1985, which was collected from the Gansu Province of China, is reported here. It is 15,662 bp in length and contains 72.6% AT. All Sinotmethis brachypterus protein-coding sequences start with a typical ATN codon, excluding cox1 and nad6. The usual termination codon (TAN) and incomplete stop codons (T, TA) were found from 13 protein-coding genes. All tRNA genes could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, excluding trnS(AGN) which forms another structure. The sizes of the large and small ribosomal RNA genes are 1320 and 852 bp, respectively. The AT content of the A + T-rich region is 84.2%.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the wild silk moth Bombyx huttoni has been reconstructed from the whole-genome Illumina sequencing data. The circular genome was determined to be 15,638 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and one A+T-rich D-loop or control region. Twelve PCGs (COX2, COX3, CYTB, ND1, ND2, ND3, ND4, ND4L, ND5, ND6, ATP6, and ATP) are initiated with the typical ATN codons, whereas COX1 was tentatively determined to use the unusual CGA as its start codon. All PCGs are terminated with the TAA codon, except for ND1 and the other two PCGs (COX1 and COX2) with the TAG and the incomplete T stop codon, respectively. The nucleotide composition is highly asymmetric (43.8% A, 38.0% T, 7.1% G, and 11.1% C) with an overall A+T content of 81.8%.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Graphium chironides is a circular molecule of 15,235 bp in length, containing 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes: 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a non-coding AT-rich region. All PCGs start with a typical ATN initiation codon, except for COI, which is initiated with the CGA codon as observed in other butterfly species. Eleven PCGs terminate in the complete stop codon TAA or TAG, whereas the COI and COII genes end with single T. Twelve intergenic spacers (79 bp in total) and 15 overlapping regions (42 bp in total) are dispersed throughout the whole genome. The two rRNA genes (lrRNA and srRNA) are 1343 bp and 778 bp in size, with the AT contents of 84.2% and 85.3%, respectively. All tRNA genes display typical secondary cloverleaf structures except for tRNASer(AGN) which loses the DHU arm. The 419 bp long AT-rich region contains several features common to the other lepidopterans, such as the ATAGA motif followed by a...

The complete mitochondrial genome of Parnassius cephalus is 15,343 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a noncoding AT-rich region. All the 13 PCGs are initiated with the codon ATN, except for COI gene which starts with codon CGA. Eleven PCGs stop with the termination codon TAN, while the COI and COII genes end with single nucleotide T. All the tRNA genes have the typical secondary clover-leaf structures except tRNASer (AGN), which loses its DHU stem. The two rRNA genes (lrRNA and srRNA) are 1341 bp and 777 bp in length, with their AT contents being 83.75% and 85.33%, respectively. The AT-rich region is 487 bp in length, and contains some conservative structures similar to other butterfly mitogenomes, such as a 17 bp poly-T stretch preceded by the ATAGA motif, and a microsatellite-like (AT)10 element preceded by the ATTTA motif.

Animal models played an important role in osteoarthritis studies. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Guinea pig was reported for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,797 bp. It contained the typical structure, including two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding control region (D-loop region). The overall composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be 34.9% for A, 26.1% for T, 26.0% for C and 13.0% for G showing an A-T (61.0%)-rich feature. This mitochondrial genome sequence will provide new genetic resource into osteoarthritis disease.

The mitochondrial genome sequence of the porcellanid crab, Petrolisthes haswelli is provided, making it the second for the family Porcellanidae and the third for the superfamily Galatheoidea. Petrolisthes haswelli has a mitogenome of 15,348 bp consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal subunit genes, 22 transfer RNAs and a non-coding AT-rich region. The base composition of the P. haswelli mitogenome is 35.66% for T, 18.65% for C, 34.35% for A and 11.34% for G, with an AT bias of 70.01%. The mitogenome gene order is identical to the mitogenome of Neopetrolisthes maculatus, the only other species of the family with a sequenced mitogenome.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Temnopleurus hardwickii was sequenced using long-PCR and primer walking methods. The complete mitochondrial genome is a 15,696 bp circular molecule which contains 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes as well as a non-coding control region as in other urchin. The genome was composed of 32.9% A, 29.3% T, 21.4% C and 16.4% G, showing a slight AT bias (62.3%). The control region is 156 bp. Twelve of the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes use ATG as their start codon while the ATP8 gene starts with GTG. All the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes use TAG or TAA as their complete stop codon.

Sebastes owstoni is a popular fishery species in the north-western Pacific Ocean. To obtain basic information on its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the complete mitogenome of S. owstoni was subjected to the next-generation sequencing. The assembled mtDNA was 16,465 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and a control region. The complete mitogenome comprised of 27.7% A, 26.6% T, 17.3% G and 28.4% C, indicating a slight AT bias (54.3%). The start codon of all PCGs was ATG, with the exception of COX1 (GTG). The stop codons in the PCGs were mainly TAA, with the exception of ND1 and ND3 (TAG), ND4 (AGA) and Cytb (incomplete termination codon, T). All tRNAs had a typical cloverleaf shape, with the exception of tRNA

The traditional polymerase chain reaction method was employed to obtain the complete mitochondrial genome of Andinoacara rivulatus from Lizigu farm, Tianjin city, China. The mitogenome was determined to be 16,585 bp in length. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs and 22 tRNAs. The sequence structure of non-coding control region was also analyzed. This is the first report on the complete mitogenome sequence of A. rivulatus.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the juvenile Southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii collected from Sea of Japan was determined by next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome is a circular molecule 16,529 bp in length, including the typical structure of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region. The TAS, central CSB and CSB were detected in the control region. The gene contents of the mitogenome are identical to those observed in most bony fishes.

In the present study, the total mitochondrial genome of a precocious Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis was firstly determined. The genome is 16,350 bp in length. It consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a control region. The overall nucleotide composition of the mitochondrial genome is A: 35.31 %, G: 10.69 %, T: 36.37 % and C: 17.63%, respectively. These results provide useful information to species identification, conservation and analysis the mechanisms of precocity in E. sinensis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Colletes gigas (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) is determined to be 15,885 bp in length, containing 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a major non-coding AT-rich region. All PCGs initiate with typical ATN codons and end with the complete termination codon TAA, except for the cob gene, which harbors the stop codon of TAG. Twenty-four intergenic spacers (614 bp in total) and 7 overlapping regions (37 bp in total) are dispersed throughout the whole genome. The non-coding AT-rich region is 539 bp long and contains a tandem repeat region, which has also been reported in other insects. This is the first completely sequenced mitochondrial genome of the family Colletidae.

The Postman Butterfly (Heliconius melpomene) is one of the heliconiine butterflies found in the Central and South America. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of its subspecies, Heliconius melpomene rosina, is determined for the first time. Results show that this circular genome is 15,327 bp in length, and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and a putative control region (D-loop). The genome organization, nucleotide composition and codon usage are identical to those reported from other butterfly mitochondrial genomes. The whole nucleotide composition is 39.33% of A, 42.33% of T, 10.88% of C and 7.46% of G, with a relatively lower level of G and an extremely higher AT content of 81.66%. Most of the PCGs initiate with the ATN start codons except for ND1 and COX1 genes, which separately start with TTG and CGA. Totally 13 PCGs terminate with the standard canonical stop codons of TAA/TAG/TGA or an incomplete stop codon of T- -. The mitochondrial genome sequence reported here would be potentially useful for the phylogenetic studies in butterflies.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Pseudargyria interruptella (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) has been determined in this study. The mitochondrial genome of the moth was a circular molecule of 15,231 bp. The gene content and organization were the same as those of other lepidopteran species. The 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) started with the typical ATN codon, except the COI that used CGA as its initiation codon. Two of 13 PCGs harbored the incomplete termination codon, T or TA. All tRNAs had a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNAs, except for tRNASer (AGN). The A + T-rich region was also highly A + T biased, accounting for 90.9%. Several conserved motifs like ATAGA, ATTTA, poly-T stretch were founded in this region.

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced from the freshwater cyprinid fish, Acheilognathus barbatus. The mitochondrial genome sequence was 16,770 bp in size, and the gene order and contents were identical with the congeneric species A. macropterus, A. typus and A. yamatsutae. Six genes (COII, ND2, COIII, ND3, ND4 and Cytb) had an incomplete stop codon as shown in other cyprinid fishes. Base composition of the genome is A (29.1%), T (26.9%), C (26.6%) and G (17.4%) with an A + T rich feature (56%) as that of other vertebrate mitochondrial genomes.

We reported the complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of a important hypertension model inbred rat strain for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,310 bp. It harbored 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region. The mutation events contained in this strain were also reported.

The Rattus norvegicus SILN strain is a common used model for nervous system disorder disease study. We sequenced this R. norvegicus strain SILN mitochondrial genome for the first time (GenBank Accession No. KM114606). Its mitogenome was 16,311 bp and coding 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes.

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid of Oreochromis niloticus (♀) × Oreochromis aureus (♂) was determined using PCR-based method. The mitogenome was 16,663 bp in length, containing the same gene order and an identical number of genes or regions with the other Cichlid fishes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 putative control region. The overall composition of the mitogenome was 30.92% C, 27.98% A, 25.54% T, 15.56% G, with a slight AT bias of 53.52% occurs in the hybrid mitogenome. All the protein-coding genes were initiated by typical ATG codon, except for COX1 gene with the initiation codon GTG. Eight genes end with the complete stop codon TAA or TAG, while the COX2, COX3, ND3, ND4 and Cytb genes terminated with an incomplete stop codon T. The complete mitochondrial genome of Oreochromis niloticus (♀) × Oreochromis aureus (♂) may provide important DNA molecular data for further elucidation of evolutionary mechanisms in the hybrid fish of Cichlidae.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Hyla annectans (Anura: Hylidae) was determined in this study. It is a circular molecule of 17,973 bp in length including 37 genes for 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a control region, showing a typical neobatrachian-type arrangement. The A + T content of H-strand and the control region is 60.7% and 64.6%, respectively. The control region is 2554 bp in length and possesses distinct repeat regions at both 5' and 3' ends.

The Sprague-Dawley rat strain is a common used model for esophageal carcinoma disease study. We sequenced this rat strain mitochondrial genome for the first time. Its mitogenome was 16,312 bp and coding 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes. A total of 96 SNPs were examined when compared to reference BN sequence.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Xilin small partridge duck was measured by PCR-based methods. Our research findings revealed that the entire mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck was 16,604 bp (GenBank accession number: KJ833586). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were 29.20%, 22.19%, 32.82% and 15.79%, respectively, which were similar to the majority of most avian species. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 control region. Components of the Xilin small partridge duck’s mitochondrial genome were similar to those of other Anatidae in gene arrangement and composition. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck should provide essential information for understanding phylogenetic relationships of duck mitochondrial genome.